Consett’s hopes of repeating last season’s run in the FA Vase were dashed by a poor performance that cost them victory against Northern League Second Division Marske United.

A year ago Consett embarked on a run which saw them reach the last 16 of the national competition before they suffered heartbreak, losing 5-4 to Merstham in Surrey in controversial circumstances.

That run meant that they were given a bye to the Second Round this time around but they were unable to repeat last season’s heroics and fell at the first hurdle.

To Marske’s credit their gameplan worked to perfection. When Consett were on the attack they got 10 men behind the ball and looked to catch The Steelmen on the break, and that is exactly what happened for the winning goal.

Consett manager Kenny Lindoe was forced to make two changes to the side that had beaten Billingham Town in midweek. Keeper James Platten failed a fitness test so Paul Gilmore took his place, while Gary Ormston returned from suspension to replace the cup-tied Chris Scott.

In a game of few chances the visitors looked more up for the task from the outset. But it took until the 17th minute for a worthwhile chance to be created. A ball into the box found Newton unmarked but Gilmore made a good block with his body from the resultant shot.

Consett created very little and the closest they came in the opening period was when Adam Emson ran onto a long ball before laying the ball off to Steven Johnson who shot wide from 18 yards.

Four minutes before the interval The Seasiders almost took the lead when Cochrane played in Wesson but his half hit shot was straight at Gilmore.

Half Time: Consett 0-0 Marske

Consett started the second half with more purpose but found it difficult to break down the Marske rearguard. Four minutes into the second period they created what proved to be their best chance of the match. Emson made a good run down the Consett left and played the ball across the face of goal towards Johnson. Just as it looked as if the Consett striker would tap the ball home a defender got back to get the merest of touches to take the ball wide.

After 52 minutes Ormston’s shot from the edge of the box was easily saved by Ledgeway. Even the introduction of Mattie Moffat from the subs bench after 63 minutes failed to give the home side the spark they needed, and they lacked the ingenuity and guile to force open the visitors resolute defence.

As Consett became more frustrated, Marske looked dangerous going forward and on 65 minutes Gilmore was forced to save a header from Gamble following a cross by Wesson.

Four minutes later Moffat pulled the ball back for Emson but he volleyed his effort wide. It proved to be Consett’s last decent chance of the match.

With 18 minutes to go Marske scored the goal that sealed Consett’s fate. Gamble broke away down the left, played the ball into the unmarked Newton who slotted the ball past the helpless Gilmore to send the large visiting support into raptures.

Consett never looked like getting back into the match with the visitors comfortably seeing out time to claim a famous victory.

Full Time: Consett 0-1 Marske

Andrew Pearson